Which is better, Part time or Full time?

[AdventurerSport]

Rod:

Fulltime Dodge trucks came in 1975-1979, including the 1974 Ramcharger and Trailduster SUVs.

Some 2004 and newer Rams offer an available fulltime transfer case.

1980-1984 models have part time 4wd and locking hubs, or "automatic" locking hubs. After 1984, Dodge 4wds came with CAD (Central-Axle Disconnect), which uses a two piece axle shaft on the front end, that dis-engages from the differential and allows one wheel to "free-wheel" when in 2wd mode. This setup uses a vacuum actuator on the t-case shifter to lock the front axle together and engage 4wd. This setup lasted thru 2002, when it was replaced with a true Fulltime front axle setup. The newer Rams all have fulltime front ends, meaning that there are no hubs and no dis-engagement in the front end at all, it always turns. This allows for "shift-on-the fly" engagement of the part time t-case.

So, a 1990 has CAD and vacuum actuator on the shifter. When they're working good, they're fine, but they are prone to failure, as the vacuum lines come off and then you have no 4wd. If you have a problem with one, just ask, as I can tell you how to permanently fix it by converting the front to solid, fulltime operation. Then, all you have to do is pull the lever in the cab for 4wd, that's it! :)

JS

[mr_dodge]

OK, I just wanted to make sure. I'd seen a '90 going for a good price. If you look at my other thread, you'll see that I've found and purchased a 76 W200. It's fulltime for me!

Thanks for your help,

Rod in Tucson
'76 W200 ClubCab Adventure - currently faded
'80 Toyota Long Bed 2wd - 341,000 and counting
'00 Ural Night Sentry - The Runaway Dumpster
'04 BMW R1200C- Siglinda

[AdventurerSport]

yup, saw it, neat truck! Way to go! I'm sure that you will LOVE fulltime 4wd! Once you get used to it, you'll never want for anything else..:)

JS

[MoparNorm]

Oct 2007 PWA!!!

JS writes a very nice 3 page confession, in the October 2007 issue of Power Wagon Advertiser, about why he has always liked Part Time better......= )

Nice Job Jeff....= )

[JimmieD]

Two items:

My 1990 W-350 is PART TIME, with locking hubs, from the factory. I think it was about a 2-3 year run after the CAD fiasco, maybe starting in '89 that they switched back to my part time setup: NP205, D60-D70, locking hubs, ABS disc brakes.

I swapped straight across for this truck, trading my very nice '77 W-200, FULLTIME, NP203, 727 trans, 400 & 440 big block. With either the 400 or the 440 it gave an average of 16+ mpg driving it carefully. Towing, the '77 W-200 averaged 10-12 with heavy loads. These numbers are in Hi.

'90 will do 18-20 mpg running light and easy with its fuel injection in 2WD. Towing it drops to 12-15 depending on load and cruising speed. It also drops when it's put in 4WD, to about the same mileage as the '77 W-200 fulltime truck. It takes very little lead foot to kill the mileage with the '90.

Waynebo, you've either got some serious mechanical problems or a right foot that's out of control to get 6-9 mpg even if you were running a big block. Those are WAY below average figures. I've owned 5 fulltime Dodges, all but one were 3/4 ton, with 360 or 440 4bbl. Just a 10-15% higher sustained cruising speed will destroy mileage. My normal cruising speed is 60-70, but cruising at 85-90 the mileage went through the floor long ago!

[AdventurerSport]

JS writes a very nice 3 page confession, in the October 2007 issue of Power Wagon Advertiser, about why he has always liked Part Time better......= )

Nice Job Jeff....= )

Thanks Norm...you mean, some people actually READ PWA?? :) Just kidding, it's a great magazine, and I'm glad that I could contribute something...

JimmieD is right, again...I think that folks are too quick to point to fulltime 4wd as a reason for poor mileage, rather than look at more traditional reasons, like maybe needing a tune-up?

My W100 daily driver gets 14mpg consistently. Stock Fulltime 4wd, 318-2V.
My stock big block trucks get 12-14 as well.

My M880 Power Wagon has 4.56 gearing, and fulltime 4wd, and it gets 8-9. But, it's HEAVY, HEAVY, and geared very low, so that doesn't surprise me.

My new Hemi Ram only gets around 17 average, sometimes 19 on the highway...

Long story short...there are NO fullsize, 4wd, gas powered trucks that get GREAT gas mileage, but that's life. ;)

JS

[74w300uteline]

fulltime 77 tires?

what tires are you guys using. fulltime 77 m884 needs new shoes.

[JimmieD]

Yes, J/S, I mean the thing is, what are we doing here? Nobody in their right mind is going to select a full sized 4WD as an economical daily transport! When I fire up the Ram it's because I NEED the Ram, otherwise I'll drive something else. The same should apply to any other 4WD far as I can see.

I mean if a guy needs 4X because of where he lives, what he does, where he's going then fold up a couple of bills, slip them in the little slot and pay the entrance fee. For me the answer to the economics is to consolidate trips, drive less often and only use the 4X when I actually need to. If a guy buys only one vehicle and selects a 4WD truck fine, but he should know there's a price to pay. We're actually very fortunate that it's only percentage points of difference in fuel cost to operate a fulltime or part time V8 4WD compared to a 2WD truck, if there's any difference at all!?!

[AdventurerSport]

JimmieD, I couldn't agree more...if you're driving a fullsize 4x4 pickup and complaining about gas mileage, you're doing something wrong...

Go to a musclecar message board and tell 'em you're getting bad MPGs out of your 440 powered '71 Charger R/T, and ask 'em how to tune it for less HP and more MPGs...see what kind of response you get...:P

JS

[MoparNorm]

what tires are you guys using. fulltime 77 m884 needs new shoes.

What is your primary useage of the truck and how much (in %) highway driving?

[mr_dodge]

Mileage? That's what my motorcycles are for.

The GrandCherokee 6 will get 15 in town and 18 on the highway. The toyota gets 21 in town if you don't run the air.

The big Dodge gets 10 in town. Haven't tried highway, though I don't expect much more than 12. Who cares, that's not what it's for.

I can't use the Toyota when the monsoons wash out my driveway without beating the frontend out of it every year. Dodge gas mileage probably puts me ahead of the curve, anyway.

[JimmieD]

I'm running Hercules Terra-Trac 265/75/16. Very quiet, excellent traction/handling and they seem to wear well for the little I've driven the truck?

Had to move a parts truck, '78 D200 less engine/trans. Steering was partially disconnected so I jammed a 4X4 into the tie rod to keep wheels straight, chained it to the '90 Ram and took off. In my rear view mirror I saw the 4X4 slip out of the tie rod so both front wheels splayed outwards all the way to the steering stops! Didn't make a difference I could feel so kept pulling for about 400-500 yards. The Ram with the Terra-Tracs pulled it like it was a Volkswagen, even though there was 18"-24" of snow on the ground!

Good tires.

[KRB64]

Two items:

My 1990 W-350 is PART TIME, with locking hubs, from the factory. I think it was about a 2-3 year run after the CAD fiasco, maybe starting in '89 that they switched back to my part time setup: NP205, D60-D70, locking hubs, ABS disc brakes.

Agreed. My '92 has lock outs with the 205, Maybe with the first Cummins in '89 they switched back to a real axle and lockout hubs?

I also agree with the theory of driving what you "need". My newest vehicle is 15 years old. They are all paid for so taxes and insurance is cheap. For daily driving its the '89 Corolla (2). For the farm, bad snow, flooded roads, etc its the '76 M880. For hauling the boat, hay, cattle, firewood, etc its the '92 CTD.

People ask what my Cummins gets for mileage and I tell them I average between 14 & 16. They think thats bad but thats pretty good considering its either in 4x4 or has 2-14,000lbs behind it! Ocassionally I've driven it for a distance empty when the Corolla is out and I'll get 18-19 but most of the time its workin! My M880 averages 6-8 but thats cause it seldom goes to town and sees over 20mph, it mostly idles along and rarely sees pavement.

BTW, the M880 has some 7.00 x 16 mud tires on it (can't remember the brand but look like Intercos, etc) and I like that size & width for what I do.

[JimmieD]

what tires are you guys using. fulltime 77 m884 needs new shoes.

What Mopar Norm said/asked: What primary use?

I read the lineup of vehicles in your sig and smile, "Yep, he's got it bad, acute Moparcosis...." No known cure. Nobody is looking for one either, just medicate with MORE MOPARS! :~ )[/B] [green with envy]

[frankyb]

part time vs. fulltime reliability

This was a great post... seems most everyone leaned towards fulltime... (except for the guy that likes to do brodie's near his neighbors house and police station) I don't recall anyone specifically addressing reliability and maintenance however.

I've had many full time 70's trucks. I've had 2 chains fail (2 different trucks) but I bought those trucks used... who knows how they were driven... It wasn't a big deal to replace the chain... I think the chain cost a little over a hunny for a Borg Warner. It was however real difficult locating replacement front bearings for my fulltime Ramchargers. Two of those rigs needed them too. How often do those go out? 50k miles?

I also have a few 60's W200's with part time. I've never had a failure with the part time system but I did almost fall on my rear recently when I was looking for a camping spot in the rain and I had to get out and fumble around in the mud with cold wet fingers in an attempt to turn the hubs. Glad I had the mat instead of carpet in that Sweptline. Mud was everywhere!

Anybody else know about long term reliability comparing part time hubs w/ 201/205 vs. full time with the 203/208?